These are the latest Liverpool ECHO headlines this morning.
Murderer tried to kill girlfriend's ex-lovers hours after killing her
A murderer tried to kill twice more in a 24-hour rage-fuelled rampage of violence and booze after strangling his girlfriend to death.
Robert Massey brutally attacked Jacqueline Forest then stabbed her in the womb, "preoccupied" with the thought that she was pregnant. He then plotted to kill two men with whom he believed she had been unfaithful, knifing one with the murder weapon after luring him to the apartment and attacking another with a pair of scissors at his own workplace.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the 49-year-old victim was in a relationship with the defendant since the summer of 2020, and he had spent time living at her home on Piele Road in Haydock. On August 15 this year, he was handed an 18-month community order at Liverpool Magistrates' Court after assaulting her and banned from attending her address for 28 days.
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Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, described how this had concerned an incident two days previously in which Massey went to the flat armed with an iron bar and attempted to kick her front door down. He stole her bank card before pouring vodka over Ms Forest, who was known to loved ones as Jaki, and threatening to light the spirit on fire as he left the address.
But the couple met up again in a park over the subsequent August bank holiday weekend and spent much of the next few days together, mostly in her home. At around 7pm on Tuesday, August 30, Massey was in her bed while she was in the shower. Read the full story here.
Liverpool ONE to unveil new neon tree at Christmas launch party
Liverpool ONE is set to unveil its new neon tree during its Christmas launch night party tonight (Friday, November 11).
Starting at 4pm, the event is set to entertain visitors with a packed programme of activities, acts, spectacular Christmas decorations, a never-before-seen neon Christmas tree and many other installations. The retail and leisure destination will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland as it gets visitors into the festive spirit.
The new tree will be located at the centre of Liverpool Alpine Village. Liverpool Alpine Village is a new winter wonderland style attraction boasting karaoke hüttes, curling, shuffle boarding and a photo booth.
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Standing at 18 metres above sea level, the new tree will be one of the tallest artificial trees in the UK. An additional series of eight-metre neon trees will be installed on Paradise Street.
The launch night will also feature a host of performances of much-loved family pantomimes on South John Street, including M&S Bank Arena's Aladdin and Epstein Theatre's Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Christmas classics such as A Christmas Carol will be performed by Shakespeare North Playhouse, along with performances from Unity Theatre. Read more here.
Life in one of Merseyside's trendiest up and coming areas
The ECHO has taken a look at life in one of the most up and coming areas of Merseyside.
Birkdale sits a little to the south of Southport and is gaining notoriety due to its buzzing range of bars and restaurants, independent shops and community spirit.
Laura Smith moved here with her family four years ago, being "initially attracted to the village vibe of independent vibrant bars and restaurants". She also hailed the abundance of green spaces, proximity to the coast and the accessibility to Liverpool city centre.
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She added: "It seemed a perfect place to bring up a family. The house prices were very competitive, seemingly giving us more house for our money in comparison to Formby or Crosby."
The price of property in Birkdale is climbing; homes sold for an average of £256,398 over the last year, 3% higher than the previous 12 months and 8% up on the 2019 peak. The majority of homes were semi-detached and sold for an average price of £220,683, while detached properties sold for £532,424.
Chrissy is 75 and has lived in Birkdale with husband Tony for 13 years. She "absolutely loves it" and hailed the "great community, large variety of shops, bars and restaurants". Read more here.
